Connector



June 8, 1943. r c, E I] 2,321,158

- CONNECTOR Filed April 8, 1942 j j fig Z0 I 10 1 /319 5013 i a 54 ii INVENTOR.

Clarence $.Zee5 gy-Q m/akm I a @i Patented June 8, 1943 CONNECTOR Clarence A. Rees, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, 111 a corporation of Illinois Application April 8, 1942, Serial No. 438,201

5 Claims.

This invention relates generally to connectors, and more particularly to connectors formed from metallic sheet stock, which are adapted to be telescopically associated with a stud so as to secure the stud against axial movement with respect to an associated work piece.

The invention contemplates the provision of a or edges 20.v These prongs l8 are'separated by connector of sheet metal stock in which inner teeth may be forced into locking engagement with a stud, and by the application of force along the outer margin of the connector the teeth may be released without disturbing the position of a connector arm extending outwardly from the connector body.

More specifically the invention contemplates a connector of the type set forth above which is adapted to be used as an electrical terminal for coupling conductors with a terminal post.

The following detailed description will bringto light other objects and advantages of the present invention when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein: c

Figure 1 is a plan view of a connector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a central transverse sectional View taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 discloses the connector as illustrated in Figure 2 in operative association with the work piece, a connector fastening tool being shown in operative association with the teeth;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 disclosing the application of the tool for causing the looking teeth of the connector to be disengaged from the periphery of the stud;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a slightly modified form; V

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified connector with the associated stud shown in cross section;

and

Figure 7 is a transverse central sectional view taken substantially along the line |-'I of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar' parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that one embodiment of the invention consists of a connector member designated generally by the numeral Hi. This connector l0 includes an annular intermediate body portion l2 which is designed to engage the surface of a work piece l4. Positioned externally of the intermediate body portion I2 is a flange or rim I6 which diverges from or is inclined with respect to the plane defined by the work engaging surface of the intermediate body portion l2. Extending inwardly from the intermediate body portion I2 and diver ing from the plane of the work engaging surfacethereof is a plurality of prongs IS, the inner extremities of which present locking teeth radial severances or recesses l9.

Formed integrally-with and extending radially from the outer flange orrim l6 isIa connector arm 22 provided with an aperture 24 to facilitate connection therewith of an electrical conductor or any other suitable element. One or more of such arms may be formed depending'uponth'e particular use for which the connector is to be employed. The connector I [I is telescopically associated with a stud 26, as illustrated in Figur 3. A fastening tool 28 is employed which has a central recess 30 for accommodating the free 'extremity of the stud 26 and an annular surface 32 adapted to be pressed against the uppermost extremitiesof the prongs l8. This causes the teeth 20 of said prongs to become embedded within the periphery of the stud 26. :In this position the connector not only serves to secure the stud against axial displacement but also provides a rigid support for the connector arm 22-. If the connector is to be used as an electrical terminal, the arm 22 provides the means forestablishing a connection with an electrical conductor. In instances where the connector is to serve as a support or connecting member, the arm 22 or modificationslthereof, serves as a mechanical connecting element or support.-

To loosen the connector [0 it is only necessary to apply. pressure against the outer edge or periphery 34 of the rim' IG-by means of a suitable tool 36, Figure 4. The tool 36 is provided with a recess 38 for receiving the free extremity f the stud 26 and also for receiving portions of the prongs l8 which project'above the plane defined by the peripheral edge 34. Pressure of the annular surface 40 of the tool 36 causes the prongs to be swung or rocked away from engagement with the stud. The flange or rim [6 is suiiiciehtly narrow to provide a rigid arm or body which fulcrums at the point of engagement of the intermediate body portion I2 with the work piece l4 and thus rocks the inner extension of said intermediate body, towi t, the prongs [8, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4. The tools 28 and 36 serve to set the stock of the connector In using the tool 28 the stock is set so as to caus firm impingement of the teeth 20 with the periphery of the stud 26. The impingement'of the tool. 36 with the peripheral edge 34 causes the stock to be set with the teeth 20 disengaged from the periphery of the stud. In Figure 5 a modified connector is shown, said connector being designated generally by the numeral [0a. The connector Ilia is similar in all respects to the connector III with the exception of the peripheral flange or rim l 6a which extends at'right angles to the plane defined by the work engaging surface of the intermediate bodylZa. A tool 36a is provided with a central recess 38a for accommodating the stud 26a and is provided with a conical surface 0a. This conical surface 40a is designed to coact with the upper margin of the flange IGa to cause said flange to be tilted outwardly and thereby disengage the locking teeth a from the periphery of the-stud:

both the connector l0 and the connector I 0a the outer rim or flange diverges from the plane of the work piece and in bot-h'embodiments the application of pressure on the outer rim by the use of an axially shiftable tool causes the disengagement of the locking teeth from the stud surface. The connector Illa. like the connector lqis provided with a suitable arm or extension 22a for receiving the part which is to be joined to or supported by the connector. x

In Figures 6 and '7 a slightly modified connector is shown. This device is designated generally by the numeral lllb and includes locking y members or prongs 18b presenting locking teeth lilbg 'Extending along the sides of the prongs lib-is a body portion IZb and diverging upwardly from and formed integrally" with the body portion 12b are flanges 16b which correspond functionally with the flanges l6 and IE4; previously d,escribed.' An arm-22b is formed integrally with an ffxtends from one of the flanges lBb and'is 'apertured at 24b to receive the part to be coupled withthe connector as, for example, an electrical conductor or wire. The .body portion l2b is normally sprung upwardly at its midpoint, see Figure 7 After the locking teeth 20b have been forced i'ntd'association with the stud 261) by the application of asuitable tool similar to that shown in Fig- "ur3, the connector serves to positively secure the stu'd"against axial displacement with respect to work pieces I 41). To release the locking teeth 201) it is onlynecessary to apply pressure to the upper edges of the flanges lib. 5 In instances where the connectors III-l 0al llb are to be used as electrical connecting devices or terminals, it may be advantageous to provide serrations or teeth along the work engaging surface thereof, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. By having this surface broken up into a series of surface areas of limited size, as distinguished from a continuous plane surface, electrical contact between the connector and the work surface may be materially improved. 1

It will be'apparent from the foregoing description that the \present invention contemplates a new and improved connector which may be connected and disconnected with a stud member with aminimum amount of effort and skill. It also has a very practical application in instances l where the stud or terminal post is of the type having a smooth peripheral surface. Also, a connector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention has the dual function of cooperating with the stud to secure it against axial displacement and of simultaneously providing means for mechanically or electrically connecting said studrnember with another part. With the connector properly secured in place, it not only serves to positively secure the associated partsagainst axial vibration but also against movements of a rotary nature. This is important when the device is used as an electrical connector; for example, whenit is used as a connector in a radio hook-up. The slightest vibration or relative movement between the parts may introduce serious operating or functional difliculties.

Obviously the device is not limited to the exact structural form-illustrated in the drawing but is capable of other structural forms or'modiflcations which will lend it to a wide range of uses without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A sheet metal connector device having an inner marginal section adapted to lockingly impinge the peripheral surface of an elongated member, as, for example, the shank of a stud member, an intermediate body portion having a work engaging surface, an outer body portion fonned integral with said intermediate portion and diverging from the plane of the work engage ing surface thereof, said outer body portion presenting a margin normally spaced from said plane so that it may be engagedby the advancing side of a pressure applyingsurface, the cross-sectional size and shape of said outer body portion being so proportioned to the corresponding cross-sectional size and shape of stock positioned inwardly thereof, that movement of said outer body margin in a given direction will effect a proportional movement of said inner marginand thereby effect the release of said inner marginal sectionfrom the periphery of an associated elongated member such as a stud member, and means carried by one of said body portions to facilitate coupling the connector device with another part.

2. Asheet metal connector device as set forth I in claim 1 wherein the inner marginal section comprises a plurality of teeth adapted to lockingly impinge oppositely disposed portions of the peripheral surface of an elongated member, as,

for example, the shank of a stud member.

3. A sheet metal connector device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the work engaging surface of the intermediate body portion is normally spaced axially from the .stud engaging portion of the inner marginal section.

4."A sheet metal connector device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the intermediate and outer body portions are of annular form.

5. A sheet metal connector device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the work engaging surface of the intermediate body portion comprises a plurality of teeth to facilitate interlocking of said surfacewith a work piece.

CLARENCE A. REEs. 

